A.N.A. Bulletin, 15/05/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <[email protected]>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 886), May 15, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Developments on Intracom-Siemens contract imminent

The Athens Appeals Court is expected to convene in the next few days in order to decide if it is to proceed with prosecution of those implicated in the matter of the awarding of a contract to the Siemens-Intracom consortium in 1994 to supply the state-owned Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) with one million digital switches.

The Athens Appeals prosecutor has proposed issuing indictments on four felonies (fraud, making a false statement, giving and receiving bribes) and three misdemeanors (dereliction of duty, making false statements and instigating the offenses).

If the proposal is accepted, a special judicial investigator will be appointed to examine the matter in depth. It is expected he will request the contribution of German authorities in opening the accounts which are alleged to have been used by Intracom chairman of the board Socrates Kokkalis for illegal purposes.

Intracom yesterday strongly rejected allegations of wrongdoing in the award of the 1994 contract.

In a statement, chairman of the Intracom board of directors, Socrates Kokkalis, charged that his company was the target of attack from "foreign interests" with the aim of destroying the high technology firm.

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos asked the Supreme Court prosecutor on Monday to begin an inquiry into newspaper allegations that senior OTE officials had received kickbacks for awarding contracts to Intracom and Siemens Hellas.

"Behind these interests lie prominent Greek politicians, (newspaper) publishers and journalists who speak hypocritically about transparency...," Mr. Kokkalis charged.

Mr. Kokkalis in particular singled out media mogul Yiannis Alafouzos, whom he described as "the only Greek who has publicly admitted to having bribed (former premier) Constantine Mitsotakis". "Today, these two prominent gentlemen have formed an alliance and have launched a dirty war against Intracom and against me personally. They make slanderous statements without any proof and hurl accusations without having the moral standing," Mr. Kokkalis said in the statement.

The Intracom chairman also rejected outright allegations that his company had any connection with "suspicious" bank accounts of the former East German Ministry of State Security (Stasi) or with any other "figments of a sick imagination".

Mr. Kokkalis stressed OTE's modernization programme would be further delayed by developments, apparently referring to the postponement of a final decision by OTE's governing body on the additional contract for 300,000 new digital connections.

Mr. Kokkalis said OTE has only implemented 30 per cent of its programmed investments, which satisfies foreign interests "which are waiting ... for OTE to be handed to them on a plate".

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas declined comment on Mr. Kokkalis' statements.

"The government has no reason to comment on the free views of a citizen, since justice is dealing with the case," he said, adding that Mr. Kokkalis may make depositions to judicial bodies if he feels that such views may help them.

[2] ... Siemens

Siemens Hellas, Intracom's partner in the consortium implicated in the affair, has so far refused to make any statements, but sources close to the company's management expressed anxiety over the turn events are taking, which could adversely affect the company's productive activity in Greece.

The same circles expressed doubt as to whether the charges leveled against Intracom will be eventually confirmed, adding that in any case, the company wishes to dissociate itself from the allegations of Intracom's illegal dealings in the former East Germany in the period 1987-90, feeling that due to confusion in the press, it is facing the danger of being implicated in an affair in which it has no involvement.

Concerning the judicial investigation, Siemens does not seem to be concerned, stating unofficially that justice must be left to do its job. There is, however, anxiety that any disturbance in its contracts with OTE will lead to lay-offs at its 400-strong

Thessaloniki plant. Seventy-five per cent of the plant's production, worth 30 billion drachmas, effectively concerns OTE procurements, while the rest is exported to Germany.

The Siemens group of companies in Greece employs 1,600 nationwide, has an annual turnover of 70.6 billion drachmas, with profits amounting to 2.3 billion drachmas.

[3] ... New Democracy

In a related development, Supreme Court President Vassilis Kokkinos yesterday replied to a letter sent by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert asking whether ND tabling a motion in Parliament for the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the OTE issue would obstruct justice.

In his reply, Mr. Kokkinos said that "the President of the Supreme Court must and may not express his personal opinion, because the need for and consequences of a fact-finding committee, or the matter as to whether it should be formed, is purely a matter of political judgment".

Mr. Kokkinos added that "the formation of a fact-finding committee would not interrupt the task of the (judicial) investigation. However it is clear that the operation, actions and findings of such a committee might possibly, at least theoretically, in some way influence public opinion and consequently create the impression of preempting the judgment of the competent public prosecution and judicial officials.

"However, I believe that the public prosecution and judicial officials form their opinion solely on the basis of the facts as contained in the case file rather than the opinions and views of third parties."

ND has already requested a copy of the findings of the State Audit Council and all relevant documents in order to decide whether to seek the formation of a fact-finding committee.

Following Mr. Kokkinos' reply, and a subsequent top level party meeting chaired by Mr. Evert, spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said New Democracy "will follow this affair closely, assist justice, and if necessary, ask for the setting up of a parliamentary fact-finding committee in future".

Before the meeting, former national economy minister Stephanos Manos let it be understood that he was opposed to the setting up of a fact-finding committee, adding that "what is essential is for us to realize that large procurement deals under usually in-transparent terms are made by all public corporations that have monopolistic positions in the market. The task of politicians is to formulate such a scheme that will establish transparency, so that we may all be sure that the best possible is being done".

Meanwhile, in reply to Mr. Kokkalis' remarks, former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis said, "concerning Mr. Kokkalis, justice is today dealing with him, and it must be left free to carry out its task".

[4] ... Skandalidis

In a statement after a PASOK Executive Bureau meeting, Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the Bureau was in favor of fully clearing the affair up, and that justice had to do this fast, without getting entangled in party games or particular clashes of interests.

"PASOK steadfastly believes in full transparency in public life and has proved it in practice...

"PASOK and its governments have a bitter experience from similar practices in 1989, and we do not wish to accept the transformation again of political life into vast scandal-talk, similar to that era.

"The actions of our governments have always had a distinct faith in transparency and adherence in serving the public interest," he said.

[5] ... Constantopoulos

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos stated he was in favor of a speedy judicial investigation of the affair, on condition that it is "free and independent to complete its work".

He added that "there must also be institutional political buttressing of the public interest," and that his party would submit proposals towards that end.

[6] PASOK Executive Bureau proposes establishment of party Vice-President position

The PASOK Executive Bureau has suggested the creation of the position of party Vice-President to the Central Committee, which is due to convene on Friday in order to form a relevant recommendation to the party congress.

The Vice-President would be elected by the party congress and be responsible for aiding and standing in for the party president.

According to reliable sources, Executive Bureau member Miltiades Papaioannou disagreed with the creation of such a position. Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the various proposals submitted to the Executive Bureau will be included in the end of his own statement to the Central Commit tee meeting.

Mr. Skandalidis conveyed the views and positions of PASOK President Andreas Papandreou to the Executive Bureau, as well as the climate of the meeting he had with Mr. Papandreou in Ekali on Monday night. Mr. Skandalidis characterized the meeting as having been very important for the party's course and for the shaping of proposals to the Central Committee.

[7] German officials meet with Evert

Two high-ranking officials from Germany's Christian Democrat Party visited the main opposition New Democracy offices in Athens yesterday for discussions with ND leader Miltiades Evert over Athens' stance on Greek-Turkish relations.

After the almost one-hour meeting, Bundestag deputy Karl Lamers, considered one of the German government's foreign policy architects, announced he will meet in Bonn next weekend with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who will be visiting Germany to discuss prospects of Turkey entering the 15-member European Union.

Besides the Greek-Turkish issues, Mr. Lamers and Friedbert Pflueger also discussed the Union's inter-governmental conference.

As part of their official contacts to discuss Greek-Turkish issues, the two German deputies are scheduled to meet today with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni, in that order.

[8] Stephanopoulos tour of Greek-US communities continues

President Kostis Stephanopoulos told an audience in Los Angeles yesterday that there were no longer major differences between the political parties in Greece on national issues and the measures that must be taken with respect to the economy.

Continuing his tour of Greek communities in the United States, the president added that the political parties discuss issues and, as is the case everywhere else in the world, there were differences of opinion.

Replying to reporters' questions, the president said that Greece was not opposed to Turkey joining the European Union.

"It is not Greece which is obstructing Turkey's accession but the other states which use Greece's membership as a pretext. What we want is for Turkey not to bother us," he said.

Mr. Stephanopoulos later traveled to Sacramento in California, where a reception was given in his honor by Greek-American businessman Angelos Tsakopoulos.

Meanwhile, according to an article in yesterday's edition of the Daily News, Mr. Stephanopoulos said while in Atlanta last week that "you were right to win" the 1996 Olympic Games.

In an article headlined "No hard feelings", the paper said that the allocation of the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta had caused outrage among millions of Greeks who felt that the centennial of the modern Olympics gave Athens a special right to hold the game s.

According to the paper, Mr. Stephanopoulos made the statement in a spirit of reconciliation and in order to placate Greeks living in the US who wanted this year's games to be held in their native land.

[9] Vartholomeos: Turkey must allow Halki Theological School to re-open

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos told the Turkish 'Zaman' newspaper that the most important rights the Turkish state must give to the Greek Orthodox community living there is the permission for the re-opening of the Halki Theological School.

"If we as citizens uphold our obligations towards the state, then it must grant us our rights, without discriminating whether we are a minority or not," Vartholomeos told the paper.

"We do not want to become involved in politics. The exercise of politics conflicts with the rules of Orthodoxy, it means 'Vaticanization', it means the creation of a state within a state, which Orthodoxy does not accept."

He explained that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been caught in the web of Greek-Turkish relations because of the minority's origin.

"From the day I undertook Patriarchal duties, I have been making efforts for the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations and I pray for that," Vartholomeos said.

The Patriarch said the negative image that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has in Turkish public opinion is due to "prejudice and religious fanaticism."

"The fact that the Patriarchate has for years held a stance of silence has reinforced anti-patriarchal perceptions in Turkish public opinion, which we have been attempting to overcome during the past few years."

Vartholomeos also spoke of adverse reactions from Greece, saying that comments he had made regarding the benefits of Greek-Turkish friendship a few years ago prompted comments against him in the Athenian press. He added that although this still happens, he has "not been discouraged by this, I believe friendship and co-operation will benefit both countries."

"Even in Greece there are fanatics," Vartholomeos said. He added that the "elimination of this situation cannot take place immediately... we must 'graft' the idea of friendship mainly to the young so that the new generation will be able to oppose today' s politicians and to prepare a better and brighter future."

The Patriarch concluded by saying that he is not in favor of supporting fanaticism or animosity.

[10] Turkish defense minister fires volleys at Greece

Turkish Defense Minister Oltan Sougourlou yesterday harshly criticized Greece, and the European Union for admitting Athens to the then European Community in 1981 and not taking in Turkey at the same time.

"While in Turkey no one harbors hate and animosity towards Greece, on the other hand, if someone there (normalized relations with Turkey) they would be accused of treason against the nation," the Turkish defense minister was quoted as saying in an interview with the daily 'Cumhurriyet.'

He also noted that "we cannot do anything if this mentality is not overcome, because even if we hand over all of Turkey, then they (Greeks) will ask for Central Asia.

In continuing his historical review, he added: "During the last war we gave Greece every sort of assistance. When the war (World War II) ended, they took advantage of our naiveti, gaining several advantages for the islands. In the Aegean they reached from Kardak (Imia, also referred as Ikince by Ankara) to Megisti (near Kastellorizo), the only thing that was left for us was Kas."

In the article, he is also quoted as saying that "Greece since 1827 complains... and continues to complain everyday to Europe... and every time in the end its takes away territory from Turkey. "The West gives the Greeks undue support," the Turkish defense minister claimed, adding:

"The European Union committed another mistake and included Greece within its membership, without doing the same for Turkey, and now it is regretting this a thousand times."

[11] Russia petitions UN chief over Cyprus issue

Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov told visiting Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday that he had addressed a letter to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stressing the need for the UN's activation over the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Kaklamanis welcomed Russia's initiative on the Cyprus issue, saying that Russia could be facing difficulties at present but still remained a major country with "strategic importance" for the entire world and the Balkan and Mediterranean region in particular.

Mr. Kaklamanis spoke of a coincidence of interests between Russia and Greece on handling the role Turkey wanted to play.

He said Turkey was a factor of destabilization in the region which had helped, although denying this officially, to maintain the war in Chechnya.

Mr. Kaklamanis told the ANA Russia had not been marginalized and would have its role, which could not be replaced, and pointed to 'regrouping' trends in the former Soviet region. Replying to a question on NATO expansion, Mr. Kaklamanis warned of dangers in the event of a return to a period of new tensions and a new Cold War, particularly if Russia felt that it was being "pushed up against a wall."

Mr. Kaklamanis also held "very positive" talks with Russian government Deputy President Vladimir Kantanikov who said relations between Greece and Russia had been excellent for centuries.

The two officials discussed the problems concerning the three major Greek-Russian projects (oil pipeline, gas and alumina) as well as co-operation between Greece and Russia on plans to rebuild war-torn regions in former Yugoslavia.

Replying to a question by the ANA on delays concerning economic co-operation plans despite the political will to carry them out, Mr. Kaklamanis said a tripartite (Greece, Russia and Bulgaria) conference was agreed to take place in Sofia in the near future at expert level.

Mr. Kaklamanis concluded his visit to Moscow yesterday by meeting the presidents of the two Russian Parliamentary bodies, Yegor Stroev and Gennady Serezniov, and the Patriarch of Moscow Alexios.

Mr. Stroev stressed the particular importance Greece had for Russia, praised the level of Greek-Russian relations and referred to his visit to Istanbul where he "bowed" deeply before the "source of Orthodoxy" which always constituted moral strength for the peoples of both Russia and Greece.

Mr. Kaklamanis said Greece was not only a "good friend" of Russia but also its "ambassador" before European public opinion.

Patriarch Alexios expressed his love for the "brotherly Greek people" and praised the significance of co-operation between deputies in Orthodox countries and unity among Orthodox peoples.

Referring to relations between the Patriarchates of Istanbul and Moscow, Alexios said they would improve provided there were no "interventions" in the affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church. He also referred to "terrorist" acts in Chechnya with "shields " being made of women and children.

Mr. Kaklamanis will leave Moscow for St. Petersburg today.

[12] Turkish planes violate Athens FIR on 10 occasions

Turkish warplanes violated Athens FIR flight regulations and Greek airspace on 10 separate occasions yesterday. According to reports, most of the infringements were by Turkish planes participating in a military exercise in the eastern Aegean. Greek fighters intercepted the violators on every occasion.

[13] Archaeologists sound the alarm over Metro damage to antiquities

The Association of Greek Archaeologists yesterday said they may sue to prevent further damage to ancient monuments after ground subsidized under the Valerian Wall near the city center during work on the Athens Metro.

Association representatives told a press conference that the damage to the wall was a "major catastrophe".

The damage was caused by vibrations from machinery being used to open a tunnel underneath the National Gardens.

The curator of the 3rd Antiquities Department, Liana Parlama, said the machine being used came up against an ancient man-made tunnel, possibly part of an aqueduct, while it was drilling at a depth of 19 meters. This resulted in the earth between the roof of the tunnel and the present-day ground level caving in, creating a deep trench.

Metro workers were later preparing to shore up the walls of the trench under the watchful eyes of teams of archaeologists.

Ms Parlama and association representatives said however that work on the Metro in the entire area of Kerameikos posed a serious threat to antiquities.

"If the work causes damage to the ancient monuments, the (Antiquities) Department will exercise all its rights under the law," the association representatives warned.

[14] Samaras, Laliotis agree on waste management proposal

After discussing the issue of finding a new waste disposal site for Attica with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras yesterday, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis said there had been an identity of views on the need not to export waste to other regions and a rejection of the solution of incineration.

Referring to new mobilizations planned on Sunday by residents in the Avlona area against locating a new land-fill in the vicinity, Mr. Laliotis described them as acts of social arbitrariness, and devoid of content.

[15] Amnesty urges implementation of alternative service for conscientious objectors

The Greek branch of Amnesty International (AI) yesterday called on the government to provide an immediate solution to the problem of conscientious objectors by tabling the relevant draft law in Parliament which provides for alternative forms of national service.

On the occasion of World Day for Conscientious Objectors today, AI welcomed the recent decision of the national defense ministry to allow conscientious objectors to perform their compulsory military service in non-combat roles.

At the same time however, the organization called on the ministry, the government, the political parties and each member of parliament individually to ensure that the alternative service "will be genuine and correct, that it will not belong administratively to the military mechanism, that it will have a social orientation and that it will not take on the form of a punishment".

AI also urged the government to ensure that the draft law is in line with international standards, to table it without delay and to immediately release all conscientious objectors currently serving prison sentences pending the settlement of the issue.

[16] Geitonas says investigation into Rohamis escape continuing

Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas covered several high-profile issues in a press conference yesterday, including a recent failed police operation to arrest a notorious escaped convict.

In reference to a police unit's inability to apprehend five-time escapee Vangelis Rohamis after staking out his hideout in the community of Kiourka, Mr. Geitonas said that "sanctions will be applied if any police official is found responsible for the escape of the wanted prisoner Vangelis Rohamis."

He added that a group of accomplices sheltering the convicted bank robber had been broken up.

The public order minister made the same positive observations concerning recent press reports and an on-going investigation over the eventual arrests of suspects comprising a hired killers syndicate.

Mr. Geitonas said he was confident the gang of hit-men and bank robbers, who are blamed for a series of high-profile murders in Greece in the past four years, will be arrested and charged despite widespread publicity of the case over the past week. Two alleged members of the gang are already in the custody of Dutch authorities.

In addition, the public order minister unveiled a legal framework for the operation of private security firms based on European Union legislation and regulations.

The plan regulates the duties, training, right to bear arms and activities of security firms' employees.

[17] Police discover weapons cache in raid

The arrest of a Thessaloniki man after extensive police surveillance over drug dealing allegations has led to the discovery of a substantial weapons cache, a variety of illegal substances and some 55 million drachmas in bank deposits, foreign currency and government bonds.

Police said a search of the 38-year-old's Kato Toumba residence in Thessaloniki netted handguns, a machine gun, a grenade launcher, several types of ammunition, four fake police IDs, handcuffs and other weapons.

According to reports, among the narcotics seized were 310 grams of heroin, hashish cigarettes, pills, and various materials and equipment for the distribution and packaging of narcotics.

In addition, authorities are investigating a recent trip the suspect took to Bulgaria and a past trip to Thailand.

Vassilis Rahonis was charged in the incident.

The confiscated weapons will undergo ballistic tests to determine if they have been used in any unsolved crimes, while an intensive investigation is continuing into the suspect's activities and possible accomplices.

[18] Sports subsidies to increase

Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras and Sports Secretary-General George Lyssaridis told a press conference yesterday regular state subsidies for sports federations would be increased by 3.5 billion drachmas in 1996 together with funds for Olympic preparation.

Regular subsidies for 1996 amounted to 10.474 billion drachmas, but together with Olympic preparation funds they total 12.685 billion drachmas compared to 9.206 billion drachmas in 1995.

[19] Athens to host international conference on suicide

Some 700 experts from around the world are expected to attend an international conference on suicide in Athens on May 16-19.

A press conference yesterday was told the highest incidence of suicide was noted in young people between the ages of 18 and 25 and the aged.

Drug abuse increases the risk of suicide, and research has revealed that 75 per cent of heroin users have attempted to kill themselves on at least one occasion.

Suicides in the army are more likely to be committed during the first six months of military service and during leave.

[20] EU tourism ministers discuss tourism co-operation

The council of EU tourism ministers issued a resolution yesterday on co-operation between the European Union and the Mediterranean for the first time since 1992.

The council also recognized the need for the European Union to coordinate member-states' activities in order to support the European tourism industry. During the meeting, it also discussed the "Philoxenia" tourist programme, scheduled to run from 1997-2 000.

Greek positions were supported during the meeting by Tourism Under-secretary Fivos Ioannidis. During a discussion on the Green Paper regarding the EU's role in the tourism sector, Mr. Ioannidis said the industry represents six per cent of the EU's GDP and employs nine million people. Mr. Ioannidis called for a special chapter concerning tourism to be included in the revised Maastricht Treaty.

Italy, Ireland and Luxembourg supported Greece's positions for tourism to be reinforced in the new Maastricht Treaty, while Britain, Germany and the Netherlands did not agree, although they recognized that the European tourism industry is in need of reinforcement.

Portugal, France, Austria and Spain said they desired Community action to be reinforced in this sector, but without a new legal framework with the new Treaty.

Tourism Commissioner Christos Papoutsis referred to the Commission's initiatives on actions for tourism in the Mediterranean and to the co-operation between the EU and the Maghreb countries, Cyprus and Malta.

The majority of the 15 member-states received the "Philoxenia" programme favorably and agreed with its targets. The programme is to be submitted to a working group before being approved by the council of tourism ministers on October 24.

Mr. Ioannidis supported the programme and added that a tourism institute with a European outlook working on research and tourist development would also be useful.

[21] New pleasure craft marina in Thassos

Funds for a pleasure craft marina being built in Thassos have been doubled by the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT).

Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Prefect Haris Tsiokas said "a total of 1.6 billion drachmas will be provided from state and Community funds in order to complete the marina in Thassos, for which the initial credit was 800 million drachmas."

The marina will have a capacity of 150 to 180 pleasure craft.

[22] New direct flights to Dubai announced

Representatives from Emirates Airline announced yesterday that as of June 1, a total of four flights will connect Athens with Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Two Emirates flights will depart Athens' airport on Mondays and Fridays, while on Mondays and Saturdays flights will leave from Dubai, the company stated yesterday during a press conference in Athens.

In a message toward the government, the president of Emirates Airlines, Sheik Ahmed Bin Saed al Maktoum, expressed his gratitude to Athens for approving the route, adding that new avenues are now opened from Greece toward the Middle East and Persian Gulf in the tourism and commercial sectors.

Emirates' representatives also stressed yesterday that their goal is not to take away Olympic Airways clientele, but to work closely with Greece's state carrier.

The Arab country's official air carrier was founded in 1985 and carries some two million passengers yearly. The company will use 300-seat Airbus planes on the route.

[23] Kastanidis confers with Yugoslav counterpart on transport issues

Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis had talks yesterday with his Yugoslav counterpart Dr. Zoran Vujovic to prepare the ground for discussions between teams of experts from the two countries in Belgrade on June 5-6.

The two ministers discussed the basic principles to be adopted by the two sides at the Belgrade talks which will focus on road and container transport, telecommunications, air transport and postal services.

[24] Michaelides satisfied with results of EU-Cyprus Association Council

Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides expressed satisfaction after a European Union- Cyprus Association Council meeting yesterday which confirmed that Cyprus' accession to the EU was not linked to developments on the issue of Turkey's customs union with the EU.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Michaelides said was a "particu-larly important" day for the Cyprus issue.

Until late on Monday afternoon, the convening of yesterday's Association Council was considered uncertain due to the insistence of a number of EU member-states to include a paragraph in the common position of the "15" linking the prospect of Cyprus' relations with the Community and the general political framework of developing future relations between Turkey and the EU.

The Greek side reacted strongly to this, resulting in a compromise solution being found by which the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the EU was included in the framework of an overall discussion also concerning Turkey and the EU, but without depending directly on the course of relations between Turkey and the EU.

Council President Susanna Agnelli and Hans van den Broek, the Commissioner responsible for the Community's foreign relations, confirmed this direction in statements to the press.

Ms Agnelli said that over the period since the last Association Council, Cyprus had come closer to the European Community, while the Dutch commissioner said that Cyprus needed the Community's "political attention."

On the part of Cyprus, satisfaction over the results of yesterday's Association Council was obvious. Mr. Michaelides said the Cyprus government faced accession to the Community "as a mission and not a free trip", adding that "Cyprus already feels a part of European developments."

During the Council meeting the Cyprus representation tabled two memorandums concerning economic and technical co-operation issues and proposed the creation of a mechanism, as part of the European Commission, focusing on supervising Cyprus' pre-accession course in the Community.

On the question of the Cyprus issue being resolved, Mr. Michaelides said "the efforts the UN has been making for 22 years failed because there was no political will to have the Cyprus issue solved", adding that interest recently shown by the US and several European countries was encouraging.

Referring to the EU, Mr. Michaelides said it should play a decisive role in resolving the Cyprus issue and the solution to be found was of direct interest to it since it concerned a candidate member-state.

Mr. Michaelides also referred to beneficial consequences Cyprus' accession to the EU would have for the Turkish Cypriot community and stressed that if the Cyprus issue has been resolved by the end of 1997 or in early 1998 at the latest and the reunification of Cyprus has been achieved, then complete incorporation in the EU would certainly take place under better conditions.

Ms Agnelli and Mr. van den Broek also referred to the Turkish Cypriot community, saying that "benefits emanating from accession should be better understood by the Turkish Cypriot community whose concerns should be allayed."

Speaking to the press, Mr. van den Broek said the European Commission would provide funds amounting to 12 million ECU in the direction of the Turkish Cypriots, referring in particular to organizing 30 briefing events on the benefits of accession and translating certain important documents into the Turkish language.

End of English language section.